Russia says it will help the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan fight against the Afghan branch of Islamic State.
Moscow’s special representative for the country, Zamir Kabulov was quoted as saying this on Friday.
Kabulov, a former Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, referred to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) as the “common enemy”; of Moscow and Kabul.
“We see and appreciate the efforts that the Taliban are making in the fight against the Afghan wing of ISIS.
“We will provide our best assistance to the authorities of (Afghanistan) through specialised structures,”; Kabulov said.
DAILY POST reports that no country currently recognises the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
However, in a step towards recognition, Russia last month formally removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations, to which it had been added in 2003.
Kabulov’s comments underscore the dramatic rapprochement in recent years between Moscow and Kabul, which President Vladimir Putin said last year was now Russia’s “ally”; in combating terrorism.
Russia is said to have been left reeling from multiple Islamic State (ISIS)-linked attacks, including the shooting of 145 people at a concert hall outside Moscow in March 2024 which was claimed by ISIS.
US officials have said that they had intelligence indicating ISIS-K was responsible.
The Taliban stated that it working to wipe out the group’s presence in Afghanistan.
Kabulov said Moscow and Kabul were building up ties in multiple spheres and told RIA news agency that Russia had offered to accredit an Afghan ambassador in Moscow and was waiting for Kabul’s response.
According to him, Moscow’s suspension of the ban on the Taliban “finally removes all obstacles to full cooperation between our countries in various fields”;.
Last month, Russia said it aims to strengthen trade, business and investment ties with Kabul, leveraging Afghanistan’s strategic position for future energy and infrastructure projects.
According to Kabulov, joint economic projects would be discussed at a Russia-Afghan business forum later this month in the Russian city of Kazan, naming mineral development and gas pipeline projects as possible areas of cooperation.
